Woolly Pants Pattern - free knitted soaker pattern

Free knitted soaker pattern

This is one of the first ever knitted soakers that I made, I tried a couple from other patterns and then thought that I could create something myself.  Woollen soakers are great for over cloth nappies, especially at night, as they are breathable and natural, so great for babies.  100% wool is best, and if you can, hand wash only.  Treat your soaker with a small amount of lanolin, around peas sized (pure lanolin nipple creams can work) dissolved in warm water and a little wool wash. Soak your knitted soaker over night, and then allow to dry.  You should only need to do this every few months, when it starts to smell, allow it to air between uses unless actually soiled.

Woolly pants

This is a flat knit soaker, very simple and easy to make.  You have the option of using either Worsted Weight (10ply) yarn, or DK (8ply) yarn, which will give a slightly smaller soaker.  There is also the option of adding a textured body to the soaker.  Directions are given for a small, or newborn size, and directions for medium (approx 6 months) and large (approx 1 year) follow in brackets.

You will need

Approx 50g of DK or 10ply yarn, I would recommend 100% wool.

1 pair 4mm knitting needles

1 pair 5mm knitting needles

1 wool needle for weaving in ends.

If you are planning on making a soaker with a textured pattern, then use the pattern bellow on all areas marked with an * in the main pattern.

Textured pattern for body of soaker
Row 1 k
Row 2 p1 k2 repeat to end
Row 3 k
Row 4 k1 p1 k2 repeat to end
Row 4 k
Row 6 k2 p1
(Use this pattern on all areas worked in stocking stitch, marked with a *, including the short rows.)

Pattern

Using 4mm needles, cast on 56 (62) (68) stitches.

Row 1, (k1 p1) continue to end, this forms the 1x1 rib.
Continue in 1x1 rib for 6 more rows
Next row, k1(k2tog yo k1) repeat to last stitch k1.
Then do 7 more rows 1x1 rib.

Change to larger 5mm needles.
Row 1 (inc one stitch each end) k all stitches* 58 (64, 62) stitches.

Short rows:

Row 1,  p34 (38, 42) slip stitch, turn*
Row 2, Slip stitch k10 (12, 14) slip stitch, turn*
Row 3, Slip stitch p15 (17, 19) slip stitch, turn*
Row 4, Slip stitch k24 (26, 28) slip stitch, turn*
Slip stitch p to end.*

Main body;

Continue in stocking stitch for 12cm (15cm, 18cm) not including rib band.*

Shaping for leg holes:

Row 1, dec 2 stitches each end, 54 (60, 64)*
Row 2 Dec 3 stitches each end. 48 (54, 58)*
Repeat these two rows three more times.
For smaller size only dec 1 stitch each end.*
For medium and large sizes only dec 2 stitches each end twice.* 16 (18, 18)
Continue in stocking stitch for 10 (12, 14) more rows.*
Increase 1 stitch at each end of each row 3 (5, 7) times. 22 (28, 32).*
Increase 4 (4, 6) stitches at each end.* 30 (36, 44)

Front:

Continue in stocking stitch to match back, 12 (15, 18cm).*
Change to 4mm needles, and work 6 rows in 1x1 rib.
k1(k2tog yo k1) to last stitch k1
Work 7 more rows in 1x1 rib.  
Cast off.

Legs
Pick up 38 (42, 48) stitches around each leg hole,
Work 7 rows of 1x1 rib.
Cast off

Sew soaker together along front seams using mattress stitch.
Using double thickness of wool, and a 5mm crochet hook, chain a length long enough to use as a waist tie.  Alternatively plait a length of wool.  Thread this in the holes at the top of the soaker.

© COPYRIGHT Kelly Jo Sweeney 2011

This pattern is offered free of charge for your own personal use. Please do not make items using this pattern for sale. Should you wish to sell items made from this pattern, then please contact me for details of my Cottage Industry Licenses.

For yarns, more free patterns and knitting and crochet accessories, please see my site: http://www.wonderwool.congocart.co.nz

Pattern making

I realised earlier that it's over a year since I last released a pattern, and that was a quick free crochet square, it's about time I launched something new.  I really need to get myself together and get some of the patterns that I've been working on written up.
I showed you last time the cardigan that I made for Anja before she was born, but that's not all that I've had on my needles over the last year.  There's also this wrap around sleepsuit;

It was a little big for her when this was taken, and you don't have to scar your children for life by using such bright colours.....It's a great little outfit for keeping them warm in winter, and as it's a seamless top down construction, there isn't lots of sewing up to do either.
More recently I made a little cardigan for a friends new baby, quite a simple design this time, but cute all the same, and again; top down and seamless:

So, there are things in the pipeline, I am working on them (vaguely) and at some point I will get them written up, tested and out there.  At least, I hope I will.....

All change

Well, if you've ever been here before, you might notice that suddenly there's a different name.  You might also notice that it's over a year since I last posted.  So, what have I been up to? And what's happened to NZ wools?
Well, things have been quiet on that front for quite a while, and although I've been working on new patterns, and dying yarn, I haven't done a lot else.  So earlier this year I decided to close NZ Wools, and become involved in a new site; wonderwool.  Basically we now have a new store on there, along with a number of other New Zealand based wool crafters.  Pop along and check us out if you haven't already.
We're also to be found on the hive NZ, another really great site.
So why have I been quiet for so long?  Well, earlier this year we had another addition to our family, and welcomed our fourth child, (and second daughter).

Here she is, just two days old (back in June) modelling the cardigan and hat that I designed and made for her.  The yarn is one of mine too, possum merino, hand dyed in yellow as we didn't know what flavour she was going to be.
So, as you can imagine, life has been busy, but we've got the new site up and running, and I have at least three new patterns for you.  All I need now is time to write them down and get them tested...... Watch this space.

It's Wheely a square.... free crochet square pattern

Sorry, yes I know that's a rubbish title.  But it's the best I've got at the moment,and it will have to do.  So, would you like to know how to make the square?  Then I'm about to share the instructions. I made this last night for the CAL we're having on the New Zealand Nappy Network forum, basically we're doing a different block each week, and this week is my turn.  I'm doing the instructions twice too, firstly with US terms, as most people seem to use those now, and then in British terms, which is what I prefer, seeing as it's what I learnt with. (If you're not sure what you know, then a good guide is that US uses single crochet, British doesn't, so if you know what a single crochet is, the chances are, you know US terms).

US terms
You will need, 
Yarn in various colours, for both squares I used 8ply/dk yarn.
A crochet hook that suits your yarn, I used a 4mm hook.
A needle to weave in ends.
And a bit of spare time.

Abbreviations used
Ch: Chain
Slst: slip stitch
St: Stitch
Sc: Single crochet
Dc: Double crochet

Pattern
Ch 4, slst to first chain.
Round 1: Ch4 (this counts as 1dc and 1ch), *dc into centre of the ring, ch1,* repeat from * to * 6 more times, slst to 3ch of starting 4ch.
Round 2: Stst to first ch space, ch3, 2 dc in same ch space, dc in top of dc below, continue around with 3 dc in each ch space and 1 dc in top of each dc in round below.  Slst to  3rd chain of starting ch3.
Round 3: Ch1, sc into same st, *chain 4, miss 3 dc and sc into next dc, ch6, miss 3dc and sc into next dc.* repeat from * to * 3 more times, but on last time, slst to first sc rather than making a new sc.
Round 4: Slst to ch space, ch 3, 2 dc into same ch space, ch 1, *3 dc into next chain space, ch3, 3 dc into same ch space, ch1, + 3 dc into next ch space.* repeat from * to* twice, and then from first * to + once.  Slst to 3rd ch of 3ch.
Round 5: Ch4, 3dc into next ch space, ch1, work around square working 3dc into each ch space followed by 1ch on sides and 3 dc, 3ch and 3dc, 1ch  into each corner.  At last ch space 2dc, slst to 3rd ch of starting 4ch.
Following round: Repeat round 5 as often as required, on every even round start with ch3, and 2dc into same ch space, every odd row start with ch 4 as above.
Optional final round: Ch1, sc in each dc and ch space in round below, slst to first ch, fasten off.

UK Terms

Abbreviations used
Ch: Chain
Slst: slip stitch
St: Stitch

Dc: Double crochet
Tbl: Treble crochet

Pattern
Ch 4, slst to first chain.
Round 1: Ch4 (this counts as 1tbl and 1ch), *tbl into centre of the ring, ch1,* repeat from * to * 6 more times, slst to 3ch of starting 4ch.
Round 2: Stst to first ch space, ch3, 2 tbl in same ch space, tbl in top of tbl below, continue around with 3 tbl in each ch space and 1 tbl in top of each tbl in round below.  Slst to  3rd chain of starting ch3.
Round 3: Ch1, dc into same st, *chain 4, miss 3 tbl and dc into next tbl, ch6, miss 3tbl and dc into next tbl.* repeat from * to * 3 more times, but on last time, slst to first dc rather than making a new dc.
Round 4: Slst to ch space, ch 3, 2 tbl into same ch space, ch 1, *3 tbl into next chain space, ch3, 3 tbl into same ch space, ch1, + 3 tbl into next ch space.* repeat from * to* twice, and then from first * to + once.  Slst to 3rd ch of 3ch.
Round 5:  Ch4, 3tbl into next ch space, ch1, work around square working 3tbl into each ch space followed by 1ch on sides and 3 tbl, 3ch and 3tbl, 1ch  into each corner.  At last ch space 2tbl, slst to 3rd ch of starting 4ch..
Following round: Repeat round 5 as often as required, on every even round start with ch3, and 2tbl into same ch space, every odd row start with ch 4 as above.
Optional final round: Ch1, dc in each tbl and ch space in round below, slst to first ch, fasten off.

I love to see finished items made from my patterns, so feel free to pop along to my facebook page to share, I think that this would make a great blanket with all the squares fastened together.

Oh dear!

Well time just seems to have run away from me lately, and it's months and months since my last post here.  Mind you it's been a while since I've had anything to really post about.  I've been busy with quite a bit of custom dying, and I've been busy on a few new patterns, but until now they've been a long way from being ready to be released.  Until now that is, my latest pattern is now live and ready to down load:

My T-bar baby shoes, a crochet pattern available in both US and British terms, is now on NZ Wools.  I've got a few more in the pipeline too, so watch this space........

More wool!

I've been so busy since Christmas, adding new things to the store, we've now got an even bigger range of hand dyed yarn and I'll soon be adding a few new accessories, including buttons. I love these ladybird buttons that we're about to start stocking.

I'm trying to get everything ready for two promotions that we're involved in over the next few months. First of all is the Cloth Nappy Hunt which we will be sponsoring for the first time this year, there are some great prizes on offer, and registration is now open. Then in April we're going to be taking part in the Spring Mama Spectacular on the Mama Packs forum. We're going to be offering a few new things on our stall, and there'll also be some great items for sale from other work at home mothers, so it's worth checking it out.
In the meantime, pop by NZ Wools, and have a look at the great range of yarns and knitting accessories we have available, if you're after a certain colour or weight of wool, then please ask and I'll see what I can do.

I love ewe 2; another last minute valentine free heart crochet pattern

Crochet Heart Pattern

After making my last minute valentine knitting pattern last year, I thought that I'd better create something equally good again for this valentines day.  I thought for a little while and then came up with this simple crochet heart, based on a triangular granny 'square'.
As with all of our free patterns, you are welcome to make them for your own use or charity, but please get in touch if you wish to sell them.

Materials
Small amount of red yarn (I used dk)
Suitable hook for gauge (4mm in my case)
Glue
Card
Abbreviations
Ch; chain
dc; double crochet (us) or treble (UK)
trbl; treble (us) double treble (UK)
Pattern
Ch 5, sl st to form circle
Round 1; Ch 3, 2dc , ch 5, 3dc, ch 5, 3 dc, ch 5, slst to close round.
Round 2; ch3, dc into next two dc, * dc3 into ch space, ch 5, dc3 into ch space, dc into next 3 dc, repeat from * around slst to first dc to close round.
Round 3; ch3, work around outside of heart, dc into each dc below, at the corners dc 5dc into ch space, slst to last dc to close round.
Round 4; slst to corner of heart, turn heart, miss 4 sts and 8 trbl into 5th stitch, miss 4 sts and slst to next st, miss 4 sts and 8 trbl into 5th st, slst to corner and fasten off.

Making up
Sew in ends.
Glue the heart
Write the card and give it to a loved one.

© COPYRIGHT Kelly Jo Sweeney 2011

This pattern is offered free of charge for your own personal use. Please do not make items using this pattern for sale. Should you wish to sell items made from this pattern, then please contact me for details of my Cottage Industry Licenses.

kelly@nzwools.co.uk

For yarns, more free patterns and knitting and crochet accessories, please see my site: http://www.nzwools.co.uk